Do shifters matter?

[Kranswurm]

Hey hubbers.

 

I have 2 bikes with XT rear derailleurs.

 

One bike has XT shifters and the movements between gears (rear) are clean, sharp, quick and crisp.

 

The other bike has SLX shifters and the shifting is nowhere near as crisp.

 

Is it the shifters? Could it be the chain, the cluster or something else.

 

Note that both bikes have been professionally serviced recently and this issue persists.

 

They most definitely do.I think you have answered your own question

[MrJacques]

I assume they also checked that the derailer / hanger isn't bent, otherwise you won't get good shifting regardless of what shifters you use.

[MariusC]

I know it's not major but I went from crappy Alivio shifters to Deore's and made a significant difference. so I would imagine XT would be a lot better

[Cyclocross]

Condition/age of shifters, derailleurs and cables is also a big factor. eg. An old XT setup won't be as smooth as a new SLX for example. Can't look at shifters in isolation although that said, assuming your cables are good quality (eg XTR with sealed ferules or continuous) and comparing new with new shifters, each upgrade does give smoother and lighter action shifting (and in some cases more durability too), but like weight loss with each upgrade, often at a disprortionate price. Diminishing marginal returns and all that.

[scotty]

I have a bikes with XT shifters and SLX shifters. Not sure how they do make a diffs. If set up correctly both change when i want them to the gear that i want. Sure my XT feel a lots smoother when changing and weigh minutely less but performance wise they exactly the same. Price wise SLX wins hands down, CWC 10spd XT R1299, SLX 10spd R570.

[Robrider]

I disagree with most of you.

You cant try 2 different bikes and blame the shifters. You also can't upgrade the shifters and say its amazing (chances are you replaced the cables too). 90% of the time the problem in poor shifting is in cable wear and correct set-up. Put continuous cables or good cables like xtr and I will put money down that they will shift just as well as XT.

[crasher]

I battled to feel the diff between components in the 2 group sets except in the shifters it was the one area where there was a vast improvement between SLX and XT

[Ispeed_V]

No, they dont.

 

SS's Highjack

[DubbelBuys]

I've got 2 brand new shifters not mounted & the Xt feels so much smoother than SLX.

 

If your shifting isn't 'in-line' or your chain keeps missing / skipping gears it could be something else like inner cable too long / short & needs adj at barrel or hanger plate that's bent etc.

[awesme]

Ok, I had SLX OEM shifters, so not really something special to talk about, replaced them with XT iTech shifters, integrated with my XT brakes,

 

Clean look, sharing the one bracket around the handle bar, and def smoother, nice,

 

G

[Skylark]

Everything below XTR is incremental , XTR is a huge leap above XT and all else.

They are more precise all round - in that tiny instant when you are going up a hill and shifting up to bigger cogs the shifts are just quick enough that you dont lose very much speed and cadence , something that is very noticeable with xt and below (but you wont be aware of that until you use XTR)

And going down to smaller cogs the double drop + instant release possible with the 10speed XTR just lets you hit your stride like a mutha fuga.

 

XTR Shifters are incredible and ridiculously priced

 

If only you could buy shifters in split sets : SLX front shifter , XTR Back shifter - cause the front shifter really aint doing much but the back needs all the engineering you can get.

 

The entry level groupsets these days from Shimano and Sram SLX & X7 are pretty amazing , but the shifters aren't .It is probably becuse they really are the most complex component - open one up , they are full of funny springs , ratchets and gears. Considering how great the rest of the SLX/X7 groupset is I'd say Shifters are probably the most noticeable drivetrain upgrade , then Rd then cranks.

 

I've only ever used up to X9 on Sram whats 10speed X9 shifters like compared to XX?